Where Your Favorite Movie Music Comes From - The Ben Shapiro Show Recap

Podcast: The Ben Shapiro Show

Published: 2026-01-03

Duration: 11 minutes

Summary

Ben Shapiro discusses the influences behind John Williams' most iconic film scores, connecting them to classical music pieces by composers like Gustav Holst, Eric Korngold, and Antonin Dvořák.

What Happened

Ben Shapiro dives into the classical inspirations behind John Williams' film scores, highlighting Williams' deep knowledge of the classical repertoire. He starts with 'Star Wars,' noting its musical connections to Gustav Holst's 'The Planets,' particularly the 'Mars: Bringer of War' theme that inspired the Empire's theme.

Williams' work for 'Indiana Jones' is compared to Eric Korngold's scores from the 1930s and 1940s, especially 'The Adventures of Robin Hood,' indicating Williams' fondness for Korngold's style. Ben recommends 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' as a film to watch with family.

The conversation moves to the 'Superman' score, where Ben compares the Krypton theme to Ottorino Respighi's 'The Pines of Rome.' He emphasizes how Williams brilliantly integrates classical influences into his film music.

Ben examines the iconic 'Jaws' score, attributing its two-note motif to Antonin Dvořák's 'New World Symphony.' This connection showcases Williams' ability to draw from classical motifs to create suspenseful and memorable film music.

In discussing 'Harry Potter,' Ben highlights the influence of Igor Stravinsky's 'The Firebird Suite' and Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker,' specifically the use of the celeste in Hedwig's Theme. This underscores Williams' talent in blending classical elements with modern storytelling.

Finally, Ben contrasts Williams' approach to film scoring with that of Hans Zimmer, preferring Williams for his deep understanding and use of classical music knowledge. Ben concludes by emphasizing the importance of craft in music composition, as demonstrated by Williams' successful career.

Key Insights